WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alongside the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior (DOI), has released the country’s first National One Health Framework, a groundbreaking initiative designed to bolster public health preparedness and address zoonotic diseases that threaten humans, animals, and the environment.
The One Health approach underscores the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, recognizing that many health threats are shared across these domains. Notable examples include zoonotic diseases such as COVID-19, avian influenza, mpox, and Ebola, which can have widespread impacts. With this framework, federal agencies are enhancing collaboration to better manage and prevent such diseases, aiming to protect public health while minimizing animal and environmental risks.
Mandated by Congress under the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act, this effort establishes a five-year roadmap to guide collaboration among federal partners. The CDC’s focus on public health, the USDA’s responsibilities for domestic animal health, and the DOI’s role in wildlife and environmental health position these agencies at the forefront of One Health efforts. Together, they aim to create a cohesive vision and shared objectives for improving cross-sectoral action in zoonotic disease prevention and response.
“The National One Health Framework is a crucial step toward uniting federal resources to address the complex and intertwined challenges at the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health,” stated the agencies. It sets forth key goals to strengthen federal coordination, promote disease prevention, and improve emergency preparedness for future threats.
Through the U.S. One Health Coordination Unit (U.S. OHCU), 24 federal agencies are actively working to align resources and expertise, ensuring a comprehensive approach to safeguarding health. The framework strengthens the groundwork for prompt and effective responses to emerging health threats, helping to mitigate potential pandemics or outbreaks stemming from zoonotic origins.
This initiative underscores the importance of a unified strategy to confront global health challenges and signals the United States’ commitment to leading advancements in public health readiness and environmental stewardship. By fostering collaboration and setting clear goals, the framework represents a significant milestone in protecting the nation’s health against zoonotic risks.
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